Page 89 of Boots & Scars

I lunged forward, my fists already swinging before they even registered my presence.

Everly looked up, blood trickling from a cut on her lip, but there was fire in her eyes. She wasn't just surviving; she was fighting back with everything she had left.

I threw one guy off balance with a hard right hook, sending him sprawling against the wall. Another came at me, but a swift elbow to his gut doubled him over.

"Cooper!" Everly's voice cracked through the chaos, a mix of relief and fear.

"I'm here," I growled between punches. "I'm not leaving you."

Holly appeared behind me then, her face pale but determined as she swung a lamp at one of the guys trying to get up.

We fought like our lives depended on it because in that moment, they did. And nothing mattered more than getting Everly out of there safe and sound.

Someone grabbed Holly's head and shoved her into the wall. The sickening sound of skin splitting against brick echoed in the room, mingling with the chaos. She slumped momentarily, her eyes wide with shock.

Everly sprang onto the guy's back. She clawed at his face, her nails digging into his skin. He roared in pain and rage, then threw her off with a violent jerk. Everly hit the wall hard and crumpled to the floor, motionless.

"Cooper!" Holly's cry sliced through the mayhem.

"What?" I grunted, throwing another guy into a dresser, splintering wood flying everywhere.

"She's unconscious," Holly gasped, eyes darting between Everly's limp form and me.

"Go!" I barked. "Get her to a hospital."

"What about you?" she hesitated, fear creeping into her voice.

"Don't worry about me," I said through gritted teeth, landing a punch on another attacker’s jaw. "I'll take care of this."

Holly nodded, shaky but resolute. She hurried to Everly's side and struggled to lift her. Everly was dead weight now, a haunting contrast to the fierce fighter she had been moments before. Holly grunted with effort but managed to get Everly up and began moving slowly towards the door.

As they left, a sense of calm fury washed over me. Good. They were out of harm's way. Now it was time for payback.

The room shrank to just me and them. Mercy had disappeared the second I saw what Zach did to Everly that fateful night. My fists moved on their own, fueled by raw anger. I grabbed one guy by the collar and slammed him against the wall so hard he dropped like a stone. Another swung at me with a broken bottle; I ducked and sent a knee into his gut before he could react.

Every hit landed with precision and power, each one a promise that they would regret ever laying a hand on Everly. One tried to crawl away—fuckingpathetic—so I grabbed his ankle and dragged him back into the fray.

By the time I was done, they were all on the floor, groaning or out cold. The room reeked of sweat and fear. My knuckles were raw and bloody, but it didn't matter.

I stood there, breathing heavily, surrounded by silence at last. The adrenaline slowly ebbed away, replaced by a cold, gnawing fear for Everly. I couldn't stay here. I had to get to the hospital.

I stepped over the bodies on the floor and made my way downstairs. The house was still eerily quiet, the remnants of the party long gone. Outside, the night air hit me like a slap, sharp and cold against my sweat-soaked skin.

I ran to my car, every step echoing with urgency. My hands trembled as I fumbled for the keys. The engine roared to life, and I sped out of the driveway, tires screeching against the pavement.

The drive to the hospital was a blur of red lights and frantic thoughts. Every second felt like an eternity, every delay a personal affront. My mind raced with images of Everly—her broken form, her fierce eyes fighting back tears. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, knuckles white.

When I finally skidded into the hospital parking lot, I didn't bother finding a proper space. I jumped out and sprinted towards the entrance. The harsh fluorescent lights inside were almost blinding after the darkness outside.

I rushed to the reception desk, breathless. "Everly Hawthorne," I panted. "Where is she?"

The nurse glanced up, her eyes widening at my appearance—bloodied knuckles, wild eyes. She quickly checked her computer.

"Room 203," she said softly.

I didn't wait for more information. I bolted down the hallway, dodging doctors and nurses in my path. Room 203 loomed ahead, its door slightly ajar.

I pushed it open gently and saw Holly sitting by Everly's bedside. She looked up as I entered, relief washing over her features.

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